AP English Literature Syllabus For 2009-2010 (Period 3)

AP English Literature Course Syllabus         
Ms. Kingsbury & Ms. Deep   
ms.kingsbury@verizon.net & missd.ohs@gmail.com
Class Website: http://ohsapenglish.blogspot.com
School Year 2009-2010   

Course Description (OR - What did I get myself into?):
The Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition course offers highly  motivated students the opportunity to earn college English credits while completing their senior year in high school. This course challenges students to read and analyze a variety of high quality literary works and also to write about literature in a mature and sophisticated style. Students will engage in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature (novels, drama, short stories, and poetry).  Through this close reading of selected texts, students will deepen their understanding of  the ways in which writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As  they read, students should consider a work’s structure, style, theme, the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. While successfully participating in the Advanced Placement testing program is an obvious goal of this course, the curriculum also focuses on helping students develop into effective communicators who think deeply, analyze critically, effectively solve problems, and employ emerging technologies for research and writing as they prepare for college.

Translation:  This is the most difficult English course you will take during your high school career, but at the end, you will be brighter, wiser, more thoughtful, and an all-around better student than when you arrived in September.  Plus, consider the added bonus of COLLEGE CREDIT, which puts $$ right in your pocket!

Office Hours (OR - When can I get some help?):
Ms. Kingsbury arrives each day around 7:30 a.m. and leaves after last period; child care limitations do not always permit Ms. Kingsbury to stay after school without notice. You can arrange to meet with Ms. Kingsbury after school for help on assignments or consult her via email at ms.kingsbury@verizon.net.  Email is checked up till 9:00 p.m. every night.  Ms. Deep will co-teach with Ms. Kingsbury this year; her hours are likewise limited.  Please contact her via email at missd.ohs@gmail.com if you need special assistance.

Methods of Instruction (OR - How will you teach me?):
Discussion is the primary way in which students come to understand a particular text. Discussion is both large group and small group. Discussions are sometimes student led. Discussions are sometimes conducted online via our class website. Cooperative learning groups are also used extensively in this class. Projects/assignments will be done individually as well. Some assigned texts are to be read independently, in addition to other course texts.  We will frequently write in a variety of ways and for a variety of purposes:
- Reader’s Notebook/Logs
- Practice AP essays
- Expository essays   
- Formal literary essays
Students should expect to read 8-10 novels/plays and approximately 40 poems during the year.

Communication:
It is required that every student in AP English sign up for an email account as soon as possible.  Your account should be through http://www.gmail.com, which is Google’s email service.  Your email should be in the following format: firstname.lastname@gmail.com.  Many of your assignments will be submitted to Ms. Kingsbury and Ms. Deep by email.  If you do not know how to set up an email account, please seek help doing so ASAP.

Summer Reading (OR - Was I supposed to read something this summer?):
A detailed letter was mailed to your home in June explaining the summer reading assignment for all AP English Literature students.  There is a likelihood that a) you did not receive the letter, or b) you received it but never completed the assignment.  Please visit this website for the summer reading:  http://ohsaplitsummer.blogspot.com.  The summer reading is due no later than OCTOBER 1, 2009. 

The Senior Project (OR - Can you tell me how I am going to graduate?):
All seniors in the state of Pennsylvania are required to complete a multi-disciplinary project in order to graduate from high school.  This project contains two parts: a written portfolio which consists of approximately six essays and a 10-page research paper and an oral presentation of your research paper accompanied by a PowerPoint slide show.  Details about this project will be forthcoming.

Grading (OR- How do I pass this class?):
• 25%: In-class, timed multiple choice tests and essays (based on AP 1-9 rubric)
• 40%: Essays, projects completed outside of class
• 35%: In-class response writing, reading notes, participation
Students concerned about their grades should view Ms. Kingsbury’s electronic grade book as often as needed to monitor their own progress.  No student should ever be surprised by their semester grade.  Expectations, instructions, and rubrics will be distributed for each assignment.

Taking the AP Exam (OR - Can you show me the $$?):
The AP English Literature and Composition Exam is three hours long and consists of two sections. In Section I, students are given one hour to answer 55 multiple-choice questions; in Section II, they must answer three free-response questions within two hours. The multiple-choice questions test students' ability to read prose and poetry analytically. The free-response questions require students to write critical essays on literary texts.  Over the course of this year, we will take a minimum of 5 practice tests in order to prepare you for the official AP Exam at the beginning of May.

In conclusion, we wish you the best of luck in AP English Literature. Your success in this class and on the AP exam depends upon your commitment to hard work, perseverance, and academic excellence.  It’s our personal goal that you will all receive a passing score of 3 or better on the AP exam and an outstanding final grade in this class.  We are looking forward to seeing every student in this class achieve their personal best!